Roll changing device

ABSTRACT

I DISCLOSE A ROLL CHANGING DEVICE FOR USE IN WITHDRAWING AND REPLACING THE ROLLS OF A ROLL STRAIGHTENER AND THE LIKE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A SUPPORT HOUSING, MEANS FOR RELEASABLY CLAMPING A PLURALITY OF SAID ROLLS IN A PREDETERMINED ARRAY ON ONE SIDE OF SAID HOUSING, MEANS FOR RELEASABLY CLAMPING A LIKE NUMBER OF SAID ROLLS IN AN IDENTICAL ARRAY ON ANOTHER SIDE OF SAID HOUSING, AND MEANS FOR PRESENTING SAID HOUSING SIDES SUCCESSIVELY TO SAID STRAIGHTENER SO THAT THE ROLLS ON THE STRAIGHTENER CAN BE SIMULTANEOUSLY CLAMPED AND WITHDRAWN THEREFROM AND SO THAT REPLACEMENT ROLLS SUPPORTED ON SAID DEVICE CAN BE SIMULTANEOUSLY POSITIONED ON SAID STRAIGHTENER.

Jan. 19, 1971 J. HLAFCSAK ROLL CHANGING DEVICE 2 SheetsSheet 1 FiledNOV. 1, 1968 mi 1 02mm Jan. 19, 1971 J. HLAFCSAK 3,555,371

ROLL CHANGING DEVICE Filed Nov. 1. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet a mmwwoa f05epi21 1M601? United States Patent 3,555,871 ROLL CHANGING DEVICE JosephHlafcsak, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Mesta Machine Company,Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Nov. 1, 1968, Ser.No. 772,722 Int. Cl. B21b 31/08 US. Cl. 72-239 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE I disclose a roll changing device for use in withdrawing andreplacing the rolls of a roll straightener and the like, said devicecomprising a support housing, means for releasably clamping a pluralityof said rolls in a predetermined array on one side of said housing,means for releasably clamping a like number of said rolls in anidentical array on another side of said housing, and means forpresenting said housing sides successively to said straightener so thatthe rolls on the straightener can be simultaneously clamped andwithdrawn therefrom and so that replacement rolls supported on saiddevice can be simultaneously positioned on said straightener.

The present invention relates to roll changing means for a rollstraightener or the like, and more particularly to means of thecharacter described for changing the rolls of a straightener or othersimilar device simultaneously.

Structural mill straighteners are employed throughout the steel andrelated industries for straightening various structural shapes orsections such as beams and angles.

Such devices employ usually a large number of rolls, with seven or moresuch rolls being common. In practice, the rolls of the straightener mustbe changed to accommodate each shape or size of product to be leveled.Frequent roll changes are, therefore, required.

At the present time, each of the rolls is individually and succssivelychanged by means of a crane, a troublesome and time-consuming operation.The new or replacement rolls must be handled in a similar, one-at-atimefashion, which aggravates the situation. As the rolls are subject tosevere wearing forces, roll changes for maintenance purposes common are,in addition to the aforementioned productional changes.

It would be difficult indeed to overstate the difiiculties and hazardsinvolved in making these roll changes in accordance with presentpractices. The heaviest rolls presently used in straightener devicesweight as much as 3,300 pounds and more. The dangers inherent in movingarticles of this size and weight, particularly with overhead cranes, areimmediately apparent. In addition to the considerable personnel hazardand the possibility oi roll damage by careless handling, the down timeand loss of production entailed in conventional roll-changing operationsis far from negligible.

I overcome these disadvantages of the prior art by providing aroll-changing device capable of removing and replacing straightenerrolls in simultaneous operations respectively. My roll-changing devicesupports the replacement rolls thereon in a predetermined array andreceives the rolls from the straightener in a similar array.

Thus, the changing device can be moved to a first position at which therolls of the straightener are engaged and removed simultaneously. Theroll-changing device is withdrawn from the straightener to remove therolls from their individual shafts. Subsequently, the changing device isagain advanced, but in a different attitude, to the straightener to slipnew rolls stored on the changing device onto the vacated shafts of theleveler. With Patented Jan. 19, 1971 arrangement, the leveler rolls canbe changed in a matter of minutes. The hours of downtime of previouspractices are avoided, together with the attendant personnel hazard,equipment damage, and losses in production.

Moreover, the changing device, besides its operation in the simultaneousremoval and replacement of the rolls, can be used for convenientlytransferring groups of new and used rolls between a suitable storagearea and the location of actual use.

I accomplish these desirable results by providing a rollchanging devicefor use in withdrawing and replacing the rolls of a roll straightenerand the like, said device comprising a support housing, means forreleasably clamping a plurality of said rolls in a predetermined arrayon one side of said housing, means for releasably clamping a like numberof said rolls in an identical array on another side of said housing, andmeans for presenting said housing sides successively to saidstraightener so that the rolls on the straightener can be simultaneouslyclamped and withdrawn therefrom and so that replacement rolls supportedon said device can be simultaneously positioned on said straightener.

I also desirably provide a similar changing device wherein said housingis pivotally mounted upon a carriage therefore, and means are providedfor moving said carriage toward and away from said straightener and forrevolving said housing with respect to said carriage.

I also desirably provide a similar changing device wherein said carriageis mounted on rail means disposed to align the array of rolls supportedon said roll changing device with the array of rolls on saidstraightener.

I also desirably provide a similar changing device wherein said clampingmeans include a pair of clamping bars aligned with a row of said rolls,for movement toward and away from said row, said clamping bars beingslidably mounted on said housing.

During the foregoing discussion, various objects, features andadvantages of the invention have been-set forth. These and otherobjects, features and advantages of the invention together withstructural details thereof will be elaborated upon during theforthcoming description of presently preferred embodiments of theinvention and presently preferred methods of practicing the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain presently perferredembodiments of the invention and have illustrated presently preferredmethods of practicing the same wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one arrangement of a roll changing deviceof my invention shown in conjunction with a conventional rollstraightener;

'FIG. 2 is an end elevational view, partially sectioned, of the rollchanging device and straightener as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged left end elevational view of the changer and aportion of the straightener as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear elevational view of the roll changing device(and straightener) as shown in the preceding figures;

FlIG. 4 is a partial right end elevational view of the roll changingdevice as shown in FIG. 3 and taken along reference line IVIV thereof;

FIG. 5 is a vertically sectioned view of the changing device as shown inFIG. 3 and taken along reference line V-V thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned view of the changing device of FIG. 3and taken generally along reference line VI-VI thereof.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the roll changingdevice 10 of my invention is arranged in this example with a seven rollstraightener 12. It will be 3 apparent as this description proceeds thatthe straightener 12 is of conventional construction and need not bedescribed in detail. Briefly, the straightener 12 includes a housing 14in which are rotatably mounted a plurality of drive shafts 16. On thecantilevered ends of the shafts 16 are mounted an equal number ofstraightener rolls 18. In the illustrated straightener, seven each ofthe shafts 16 and rolls 18 are employed although a different numberobviously can be used.

The protruding or cantilevered ends (not shown) of the shafts 16 can betapered in accord with conventional practice such that the rolls 18 canbe wedged thereon where they are retained by suitable keys (not shown).The straightener shafts 16 are rotated through spindle couplings 24which in turn are coupled to drive unit 26 powered by main drive motor'28.

Mounted on rails 30 for controlled movement to and from the straightener12 is a roll changing device 32. The device 32 is so mounted by virtueof its carriage structure 34 having a pair of wheel supported axles 36engaging the rails 30. A turntable 36, rotatably mounted upon thecarriage 34, includes a supporting housing 38, which is revolved withthe turntable 36.

A unique arrangement of clamping bars are slidably mounted on the frontand rear or other opposed sides, of the housing 38 for releasablyengaging the straightener rolls 18 and replacement rolls 40. FIG. 3 ofthe drawings shows a typical array of seven straightener rolls which areusually arranged in two horizontal rows. Accordingly, I provide a pairof clamping bars for each row of rolls on each side of the housing 38.Thus, for engagement with the straightener rolls 18, I utilize clampingbars 42, 44 and 46, 48 on a given housing side and for the replacementrolls 40, I use clamping bars 4248 on the other side of the housing 38.The lower clamping bars 42, 44 are engageable with a lower row ofstraightener rolls 18 and of replacement rolls 40 respectively.Similarly, the upper clamping bars 46, 48 can engage the upper rows ofthe straightener and replacement rolls.

As better shown in FIG. 6, each of the clamping bars 42 48 is notched atappropriate locations 53 in order to engage a protruding hub section 50of the rolls 18 or 40 when the respective parts of clamping bars aremoved sufficiently apart to insert the hub sections 50 therebetween.Each of the hub sections 50 can be furnished with a flange 51 or thelike to prevent slippage when inserted into the associated clamping barnotches 53.

'Each pair of clamping bars 42, 44 and 46, 48 are thus moved toward andaway from one another to clamp the roll hub sections 50 therebetween.For this purpose, each pair of clampings bars are slidably mounted inchannel members 52 secured in pairs to the ends of the housing 38. Theintermediate clamping bars 44, 46 project respectively through slots 58therefor in each side 60 or 63 of the channel members 52 to permitconnection of their protruding ends 54 to piston and cylinderarrangements 56 respectively. Desirably, cylinders 56 are pivotallymounted on the outward sides 60 of housing end channels 52. Theremaining, shorter clamping bars 42, 48 are raised and lowered in slots61 by similar piston and cylinder arrangements 62, which are pivotedupon the inward sides 63 of the housing end supports 60 as better shownin FIG. 3. At least the lower pistons and cylinders 56, 62 are doubleacting since the associated clamping bars 44 are raised againstgravitational forces.

A suitable drive motor 64 is mounted on carriage 34 for pivoting theturntable 36 through suitable transmission linkage denoted generally byreference character 66.

In operation, the carriage 34 is moved along rails 30 by suitable means(not shown) to the position of the roll changing device denoted by thesolid outlines in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. In this position thefront two pairs of clamping bars 42, 44 and 46, 48 are actuated to clampthe two rows of straightener rolls therebetween. Thereupon the rollchanging device 10 is retracted along 4 rails to its chain outlineposition 68 in FIG; I carrying with it the simultaneously withdrawnstraightener rolls 18. In this position, turntable drive 64-66 isactuated to turn the turntable 36 and support housing 38 through aone-half revolution as denoted by chain outline circle 70.

The roll changing device 18' is then returned to its solid outlineposition (FIGS. 1 and 2) and the replacement rolls on the rear oropposite housing side are inserted upon the cantilevered straightenershaft portions 20, whereupon the clamping bars 4248 on the adjacent sideof the housing 38 are released. The replacemnt rolls 40 are then securedto the straightener shafts 16 by replacement of the keys 22 (FIG. 3).

The rails 30 are suitably aligned horizontally and vertically relativeto the straightener 12, and the clamping bars 42-48 are supported on thehousing 38 at suitable elevations such that the replacement rolls 40,when the housing 38' is revolved, are always presented in apredetermined and aligned array relative to the protruding ends 20 ofthe straightener shafts 16. The sides of the housing 38 as successivelypresented to the straightener 12, desirably are identical, i.e., thepredetermined array of straightener rolls 18 or replacement rolls 40secured to one side of the housing 38 is identical to the array ofremoved rolls 18' on the other side of the housing.

When the rear housing face clamping bars 4248 are actuated to theirclamped positions by the associated cylinders 58 and 62, the replacementrolls 40 are aligned with the respective axes of the straightener rolls18 and straightener shafts 16. The notches 53 of the clamping bars 42-48and stops 72 described below are spaced to maintain this relationship.Thus, when the housing 38 is revolved as stated above, the replacementrolls 40 are precisely aligned with the protruding shaft ends 20 so thatthe rolls 40 can be slipped simultaneously thereof.

It will be understood, of course, that clamping bars having a differentnotch spacing can be substituted to adapt the changing device 32 tolevelers having a different horizontal spacing between adjacent rolls18. Likewise, a pair of stops 72 are adjustably secured to each side ofeach end support of the housing 38 to adjust the alignment of thereplacement rolls 40 to a given elevation of the straightener rolls 18relative to the rails 30. Suitable means (not shown) are provided foradjusting the elevations of the several stops 72. Thus, the replacementrolls 40 can be vertically aligned with various arrays of straightenerrolls 18 Within the structural limitations of a particular roll changer32. The stop members 72 provide alignment in one direction, e.g., in thevertical direction, of the rolls 18, 40 respectively which are securableto the front and back sides of the housing 38, while the notchedclamping bars 42-48 provide alignment in a transverse direction, e.g.,in the horizontal direction.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that novel and efficient forms ofroll changing device for roll straighteners and the like have beendisclosed herein. While I have shown and described certain presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certainpresently preferred methods of practicing the same, it is to bedistinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but maybe otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. A roll changing device for use in withdrawing and replacing the rollsof multiple roll utilizing apparatus, said device comprising a supporthousing, means for releasably clamping a plurality of said rolls in apredetermined array on one side of said housing, means for releasablyclamping a like number of said rolls in an identical array on anotherside of said housing, and means for presenting said housing sidessuccessively to said apparatus so that the rolls on the apparatus can besimultaneously clamped and withdrawn therefrom and so that replacementrolls supported on said device can be simultaneously positioned on saidapparatus, said clamping means including a pair of clamping bars alignedwith a row of said rolls, said clamping bars being slidably mounted onsaid housing for movement toward and away from said row.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein adjustable stop meansare mounted on said housing and generally between each of said pairs ofclamping bars to align in at least one direction the rolls clampedbetween a pair of said bars on one side of said housing with rollsclamped between a pair of said bars on the other side of said housing.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein at least one of eachpair of said clamping bars is notched to space said rolls therealong,said notched bars being identically notched to align in a transversedirection rolls engaged on one side of said housing respectively withrolls on the other side of said housing.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said housing iselongated and includes a pair of support members at the ends of thehousing respectively, each of said clamping bars being slidably mountedadjacent its ends on said supports respectively, some of said clampingbars extending outwardly of each of said supports, and clamping baractuators forming part of said clamping means mounted on the outwardsurfaces of said supports and engaging said protruding bar portions, andadditional actuators mounted ont he inward surfaces of said supports andengaging the remainder of said clamping bars.

5. A roll changing device for use in withdrawing and replacing the rollsof multiple roll utilizing apparatus, said device comprising a supporthousing, means for releasably clamping a plurality of said rolls in apredetermined array on said housing, said clamping means including aclamping mechanism shaped to conform to said array of rolls and movableon said housing to positions of simultaneous engagement anddisengagement with said array of rolls, and means for presenting saidhousing to said apparatus in a position of alignment of said clampingmechanism with a similar array of rolls on said apparatus so that therolls of said apparatus can be simultaneously withdrawn therefrom andpositioned thereon by said device.

6. The combinationaccording to claim 5 wherein said clamping mechanismincludes a pair of clamping bars aligned with a row of said rolls, saidclamping bars being slidably mounted on said housing for movement towardand away from said row.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein adjustable stop meansare mounted on said housing and generally between said clamping bars toalign in at least one direction the rolls clamped between said bars withroll supporting means on said appaartus.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein at least one of saidclamping bars is notched to space said rolls therealong, relative to therolls of said apparatus.

9. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said housing iselongated and includes a pair of support members at the ends of thehousing respectively, each of said clamping bars being slidably mountedadjacent its ends on said supports respectively, at least one of theclamping bars having its ends protruding outwardly of said supportsrespectively, actuators forming part of said clamping means are mountedon the outward surfaces of said supports in engagement with theprotruding bar portions, and additional actuators are mounted on theinward surfaces of said supports in engagement with the remainder ofsaid clamping bars.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS MILTON S. MEHR, Primary ExaminerU.S. Cl. X.R. 721

